Sofina Foods plant to reopen as lawsuit follows legionnaires’ outbreak
Factory in Ontario resumes operations after outbreak linked to cooling towers
CANADA – The Sofina Foods facility in London, Ontario, has resumed production after being identified as the suspected source of a legionnaires’ disease outbreak that resulted in multiple deaths and hospitalisations.
Health officials in the region reported that the outbreak was traced to cooling towers at the meat-processing plant following testing carried out by the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU).
According to MLHU data released on September 9, the outbreak has so far been connected to five fatalities and 96 hospital admissions, with four patients still undergoing treatment.
Legal action underway
Law firm Siskinds has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit on behalf of affected residents, seeking US$62.1m (C$86m) in compensation.
Linda Visser, a partner at Siskinds, said the case was initiated to uphold the rights of London residents to clean air.
Sofina Foods, which is based in Markham, Ontario, generates annual revenue exceeding US$4.7bn (C$6.5bn) and operates more than 40 facilities globally, including in the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.
The Ontario site has previously been linked to another legionnaires’ outbreak, according to Canadian media reports.
Company response
In a statement, Sofina confirmed the London plant had restarted “regular operations” after health authorities reviewed the situation and approved remedial actions.
The company acknowledged that it has been notified of the pending class-action lawsuit but said it has not yet been formally served with the claim.
Sofina added that it runs a sanitation management program for its cooling towers as part of its routine operations and had taken immediate corrective measures once concerns were raised.
The company also said it has worked closely with the Middlesex-London Health Unit throughout the investigation and that the authority was satisfied with the steps taken.
The plant’s reopening marks the latest development in a case that has placed scrutiny on industrial cooling systems and their role in public health risks.
With legal proceedings now in motion, questions remain over the company’s liability and the broader implications for similar facilities across Canada and beyond.
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